"Asleep in Jesus, blessed sheep from which none ever wakes to weep; a calm and undisturbed repose, unbroken by the noise of foes."

Monday afternoon, May 9, 2016, Mrs. Earnestine T. Rucker slipped quietly and sweetly into that blessed sleep. She was born June 21, 1929 to the late Viola and James Tucker, one of eight siblings, raised by this loving couple. She attended the local schools: Kimberly Park and Atkins High.

In 1956 she was united in marriage to Lawrence Clifton Rucker. Until her death, the marriage lasted for 60 years. Seven children were born of that union: Linda Stanfield, Lawrence, Jr., LaVerne, Lynette, Larry, Cynthia, and Curtis. The children were raised in the Baptist faith, as both Mr. and Mrs. Rucker were lifelong members of St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Joseph R. Samuels (deceased) and now, Pastor James Cook.

Her dedication to the church is honorable. She joined in 1959 and has been a loyal parishioner from the start. She served on the Deaconess and Trustee Aid Boards and was a former member of The Spiritual Choir. She had a home daycare for over 25 years. "Tine" was a housewife and a homemaker.

Mrs. Rucker was an inspiration to the young and old; her wisdom was like hardy seeds planted for the harvest; a harvest to be passed down for generations to come.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two daughters, Linda and Cynthia; two grandchildren, Justin Lawrence Stephens and Kyla Nesmith; three sisters, Lorraine, Audrey, and Ruth; and her brother, Alvin.

She is survived by her very loving and devoted husband, Lawrence; two daughters, LaVerne (Jesse) Brown and Lynette (Herb) Stephens; three sons, Lawrence (Turonne) Rucker, Jr., Larry (Geneva) Rucker, and Curtis (Tonya) Rucker; grandchildren whom she loved dearly, Chaunte', Latoya, Crystal, Kendra, Dana, Lamonte, Antwoine, Kevin, Michael, Micah, Bradley, Derrick, Carlisle, and Caleb; eleven great-grandchildren; three sisters, Barbara (Robert) Smith, Betty (Frank) Brooks of Rochester, NY, and Jacqueline Myers of Philadelphia, PA; one sister-in-law, Mildred Michener of Baltimore, MD; one brother-in-law, Calvin Johnson of Baltimore, MD; and a host of cousins, other relatives, and friends.
Rest well "Tine", you have finished your course.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30pm Saturday, May 14, 2016 at St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church with Reverend James Cook officiating. Interment will follow in Piedmont Memorial Gardens. The family visitation will be held from 12:30pm until 1:30pm on Saturday at the Church.